Underwood’s Journey Fuels Illini’s Final Four Run

Underwood’s Journey Fuels Illini’s Final Four Run

Brad Underwood, the head coach of the Illinois basketball team, recently joined The Rich Eisen Show to talk about his team’s incredible run to the Final Four. But the conversation quickly turned to Underwood’s own winding path to success, a journey filled with frequent moves, family sacrifices, and a deep appreciation for his wife, Susan. The nets from cutting down the nets from past Big Ten championships hung behind him, but the most recent net, from their Final Four appearance, was still being captured by photographers.

Family First: The Underwood Way

Underwood didn’t shy away from the personal sacrifices that come with coaching. He spoke emotionally about his wife, Susan, a former school teacher who raised their three kids while he was often away. Their date nights sometimes consisted of just ‘$5 Chinese takeout.’ His children attended three different high schools, missing out on the traditional high school reunion experience. Yet, through it all, they remained ‘Team Underwood,’ and now his son is even on staff. ‘It’s pretty cool,’ Underwood said. ‘It was really fun to have a hug and and share that moment and some tears with them.’ He noted that his kids never questioned the constant moves, always ready for the next adventure, whether it was in Nacogdoches, Texas, or Manhattan, Kansas. This constant movement, he believes, helped his children become more worldly and adaptable.

From Junior College to the Top

Underwood’s coaching roots run deep in junior college basketball. Growing up in Kansas, he played a year of junior college ball himself, even reaching a national championship game. He then took a head coaching job at just 24 years old in Dodge City, Kansas. He admitted he thought he knew everything back then but quickly realized he had much to learn. Those early days involved juggling roles, like being the audiovisual coordinator and inventorying VCRs, all for a modest salary. He fondly remembers his time at Daytona Beach Community College, calling it one of the best jobs he’s had, despite the payday not always being the highlight. ‘We raised our kids. We went to the beach on weekends and had a lot of fun in every stop,’ he recalled.

Global Talent: Recruiting Beyond Borders

Given Underwood’s own well-traveled journey, it’s no surprise that Illinois’ recruiting strategy has become increasingly international. He recruits players from places like Croatia, Serbia, and Greece, emphasizing that they don’t put boundaries on where to find good players. He credits Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for helping to open up some of these avenues. Underwood loves coaching these international players, describing them as extremely skilled, competitive, and possessing an ‘unbelievable edge.’ They are excited to be in the United States and bring a lot of fun and big personalities to the team. He shared a story about recruiting Andrej Stojaković, son of former NBA star Peja Stojaković. Andrej, upon visiting, reportedly made 13 straight shots from the corner without even touching a ball beforehand. ‘It’s a joke,’ Underwood said, marveling at the natural talent.

Finding Gems: The Katen Waggler Story

Underwood also highlighted the recruitment of Katen Waggler, a player found by his son. Waggler, from a less prominent high school in Kansas, was winning a state championship and named Mr. Basketball as a junior. While Waggler could clearly shoot and pass, Underwood hadn’t seen him play in person before signing him. The night he went to scout Waggler, the player only scored two points against a highly-touted prep school team. However, Underwood was impressed by Waggler’s maturity, as he never forced shots or played selfishly against a team full of high-major talent. ‘He just made every right play,’ Underwood noted. A year later, Waggler was the MVP of the South Region, proving his immense value.

March Madness Moments and Big Ten Dominance

Rich Eisen asked Underwood about missing the thrilling finish of the UConn-Duke game, a moment he admitted to missing due to media obligations and a recruit visit. He called the game ‘epic’ and compared it to other legendary March Madness finishes. He also reflected on the Big Ten’s strong showing in the tournament, with five teams in the Sweet Sixteen and multiple teams reaching the Final Four. ‘Great, great, great league,’ Underwood stated. He believes the Big Ten is consistently the best basketball league in the country, with sold-out arenas, passionate crowds, and tough competition every night. ‘Night in and night out, every building’s sold out. The crowds are fantastic. They’re intelligent,’ he added.

Looking Ahead: A Tough Matchup

With the Final Four secured, Underwood acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming matchups. He stressed that every team they face is either hot or has had a great year. He noted that the current Illinois team is very different from the one that played earlier in the season, with key players like Katen Waggler and Andrej Stojaković having much larger roles now. Despite the challenges, Underwood is confident in his team’s ability to compete. ‘You know what, you’re going to have to play well if you want to win,’ he concluded.

Source: Illinois coach Brad Underwood on why he recruits world wide 🌎 | The Rich Eisen Show (YouTube)